US 7,917,249 B2 · Intelligent sprinkler irrigation system

Abstract

The present invention features an intelligent sprinkler irrigation system for delivering fluid to an arbitrarily-shaped area in a precise manner. In general, the system comprises (a) a fluid source comprising a pressurized fluid; (b) at least one programmable sprinkler head fluidly connected to the fluid source; and (c) a computer system configured to control the sprinkler head to precisely deliver fluid according to a pre-determined sprinkler function. The computer system comprises a teach mode, wherein a plurality of drive parameters are learned and recorded. These drive parameters function to dictate the specific vector positioning of the sprinkler head during execution of the sprinkler component. The teach mode is further configured to learn and record a plurality of flow parameters, which function to control the fluid delivery component of the sprinkler head (e.g., the valve or nozzle), and more particularly, the manner in which the fluid is delivered or emitted from this component.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An intelligent sprinkler irrigation system for attachment to a pressurized fluid source for delivering fluid to an arbitrarily-shaped area, said system comprising:

at least one programmable sprinkler head fluidly connected to said fluid source, said sprinkler head comprising:
an inlet for receiving said fluid;
a valve component fluidly connected to said inlet for regulating emission of said pressurized fluid to provide a first operational degree of freedom;
a multi-directional movement component configured to vector position said valve component about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, to provide a second and third operational degree of freedom, respectively;
a computer system configured to control said sprinkler head according to a predetermined sprinkler function, said computer system comprising:
a teach mode, wherein a plurality of control parameters are learned and recorded to control said sprinkler head, said plurality of control parameters defining said pre-determined sprinkler function and being based on input signals corresponding to each of said first, second and third operational degrees of freedom;
and
an operation mode for executing said pre-determined sprinkler function to precisely deliver said fluid to at least a portion of said arbitrarily-shaped area.

5 more elements

A method for irrigating an arbitrarily-shaped area comprising:

identifying an area to be irrigated;
obtaining a programmable sprinkler head having a valve component vector positionable about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis and fluidly connected to an inlet for regulating emission of a pressurized fluid;
positioning said programmable sprinkler head in a strategic location in relation to said area;
providing a fluid source configured to deliver a pressurized fluid to said programmable sprinkler head;
activating a teach mode configured to electronically program said programmable sprinkler head;
assigning a plurality of drive parameters to a plurality of particular vector positions of said valve component about said vertical axis and said horizontal axis, respectively, said vector positions corresponding to respective pre-determined and identified locations within said arbitrarily-shaped area;
assigning a plurality of flow parameters for said valve component coinciding with said plurality of drive parameters at each of said vector positions of said sprinkler head, said drive parameters and said flow parameters providing said sprinkler head with at least three operational degrees of freedom on which are based a pre-determined sprinkler function for precise irrigation of at least a portion of said arbitrarily-shaped area;
deactivating said teach mode;
and
operating said programmable sprinkler head to execute said pre-determined sprinkler function to precisely deliver said fluid to at least a portion of said arbitrarily-shaped area.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intelligent sprinkler irrigation system

Life of this patent

Intelligent sprinkler irrigation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18